California Education Code requires that all candidates for a teaching credential must demonstrate they are proficient in the subject matter area of their intended credential. Recent action by the Governor and the Legislature on AB 130 (Chapter 44, Statutes of 2021) has expanded the ways in which candidates may demonstrate subject matter proficiency. At this time, some aspects of the new law may be implemented while other aspects require regulatory approval by the Office of Administrative Law. Learn more about the various options allowable by this new law .

Candidates interested in taking advantage of the new options should contact their current or prospective program sponsor (college, university, or—for District Interns—employer).

Subject matter proficiency may be demonstrated through one of the following options:

• Completion of a CTC-approved subject matter preparation program.
• Passage of the appropriate subject matter examination(s).
• Completion of coursework, as verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation, that addresses each of the Commission-adopted domains of the applicable subject matter requirements.
• Completion of an academic major in the subject they will teach.
  • For single subject credentials, a major in one of the subject areas in which the commission credentials candidates.
  • For multiple subject credentials, a liberal studies major or other degree that includes coursework in the content areas pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 44282.
  • For education specialist credentials, either a major in one of the subject areas in which the commission credentials candidates or a liberal studies or other major that includes coursework in the content areas pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 44282.
• A combination of coursework and examination options that meet or exceed the domains of the subject matter requirements. Such mixing of options may only be done by candidates enrolled in a Commission-approved preparation program that allows for this option.

Multiple Subject Teaching Credential Examinations

For the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, you may pass all three subtests of the CSET: Multiple Subjects examination to verify your subject matter proficiency.

Single Subject Teaching Credential Examination(s)

For the Single Subject Teaching Credential, you may pass the appropriate combination of subtests listed in the following table to verify your subject matter proficiency.

Education Specialist Instruction Credential Examination(s)

For the Education Specialist Instruction Credential, you may pass the approved examination(s) for the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or for the Single Subject Credential areas of teaching Art, English, World Language, Mathematics (including foundational level mathematics), Music, Science (including foundational level Science), and Social Science to verify your subject matter proficiency.

The exemption for holders of previously issued general education teaching credentials continues. Also individuals applying for an Early Childhood Education Specialist Credential are not required to complete the subject matter requirement.